Page 44 of Secrets in the Stacks

“Just hobbling along. It’s a bad day, but don’t you go worrying about me. I’m fine. I wanted to see how Miss Darby was doing. I heard the guy who broke into her house got picked up at the airport and is sitting at the station being questioned.” He leaned down to rub Killer’s head.

“You heard that? From where?” Rarity didn’t want to break Drew’s confidence, but Terrance had the scoop about the journalist. At least part of it.

“Around. I’ve got my sources. Don’t look so scared. I won’t be telling your friend what you tell me.” He eased his way back to vertical.

“That’s because I’m not telling you anything. If you told me something, I’d keep your confidence as well. So don’t go looking all hurt about this.” Rarity adjusted her tote bag thinking about how Sam had said she couldn’t keep a secret. “Anyway, I’ve got to get inside. Killer needs his dinner.”

“It’s too hot to be out here jawing anyway. I just wanted to see if you knew anything. By the way you brushed it off, I’m either on point or totally off base and you know the real story. One of these days, you’re going to realize that we protect each other here in Sedona.” He tipped his ball cap and shuffled back to his porch, not waiting for her response.

He was trying to guilt her into telling him something. It was the oldest trick in the book. And besides, he knew almost as much as she did about the guy. When she got inside, she texted Drew. Did you find him?

The response came back fast; at least the three little circles buzzed for a long time. He must be writing a letter. She set the phone down as she got Killer’s food ready. When it was done, he still hadn’t finished his message. So she put her dinner in the oven. Finally, she texted him again. Are you messing with me?

A smile face emoji popped up with one word. Yep.

She set her phone down. It was warm enough to swim, so she ignored Drew and his jokes and went to get ready. By the time she was out of the pool, her dinner was ready. But before she sat down to eat, she picked up her phone again. No additional message from Drew. But she had one from Darby.

Do you mind if I don’t work tomorrow? I know I’m technically off until Monday, but I thought I might pop in and help out. Now, I just don’t feel like it.

Rarity thought about her answer before sending it. Not a problem. You can work, or you can stay home. Whatever makes you feel better. Will I see you Monday?

Again, a smiley face emoji started the answer. Rarity thought she was just going to leave it like that, but then the rest of the message arrived. Drew’s interviewing some reporter about my grandmother. You don’t think someone like that would have killed her?

There was a desperation to the question. She quickly answered. Just let Drew do his job. He’ll find the real killer. Rarity wanted to add, and leave you alone, but she wasn’t sure the woman wasn’t teetering over the edge.

For Darby’s sake, Rarity hoped Drew would find the killer sooner rather than later.

Chapter 18

“What do you mean there’s an arrest warrant for Darby’s folks?”

Rarity was having coffee with Archer at the bookstore. He’d already led a group on a series of trails. He’d been out and about, and her day was only just about to start. She’d always been the lark in her relationships. Having someone who got up and active earlier than she did was a little freaky.

“I think the rumor mill is blowing that all out of proportion. All I know is Drew called me yesterday to get the last number I had for them. Apparently, there was a previous will that left everything to Jeff. Now, the will has it all going to Darby. The captain thinks that maybe Jeff didn’t know about the new will.” He stirred more sugar into his coffee.

“That doesn’t make sense. Darby said she was telling them about the break-in when they got freaked out. Maybe they know this guy who broke into Catherine’s house. Maybe he’s the killer and not just a journalist?” Rarity was going to do some research on this Lloyd Jones just as soon as Archer left. As long as a customer didn’t come in.

He sipped his coffee. “Look, I know I’m not in the sleuthing club, but have you guys looked at who Catherine was before she came here? Maybe there’s something there that’s a clue.”

“What a great idea. I wish one of us would have thought about that.”

He held his hands up. “Fine, I’m mansplaining the sleuthing club. It’s just there’s no logical reason anyone would hurt Catherine. Unless it was based on her life before Sedona.”

“Sorry, I’m frustrated. Did you ever hear anything about her and where she came from? I talked to Chloe Evans yesterday, and all I heard was how amazingly generous with her time and talents she was. She taught a writing class for the youth group.”

“I took that class. My mom signed me up. She thought if I learned something about English from someone besides a teacher, I might just take it seriously.” He rubbed his face. “Oh, the teenage angst that woman had to read every week. I’m embarrassed thinking about it.”

A group came in and started perusing the shelves.

“Looks like we have a tour bus. Do you want to stay and answer hiking questions?”

Archer finished the last of his coffee and took his cup into the break room. He came out a few seconds later and kissed her. “I’ve got to go anyway. Dinner tonight?”

“Sounds good.” She smiled at a customer who was approaching the counter with three spy novels and a book on yoga breathing written by a local author. Brittany had asked Rarity several times to go to one of her classes, but so far, she’d been able to avoid attending. “One of our local authors wrote the yoga book. That might even be a signed copy.”

She didn’t tell the customer she had an entire box of signed books in the back.

The rest of the day, customers kept her busy. Just before closing time, her door opened, and Lloyd Jones walked into the shop. He smiled at her as he approached the counter. “How are you today? No roving television reporters here I need to chase off, are there?”

---